Pessary



H. M. POTTER.

PESSARY. APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. I919.

1,320,648. Patented Nov. 4,1919.

wumtoz Quota:

HELEN 1V1. POTTER, OF IBLQOMVILLE, NEW YORK.

PESSARY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4, 1919.

Application filed April 19, 19.19. SerialNo. 291,298.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HELEN M. POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomville, in the county of Delaware and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pessaries, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in pessaries and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which can be applied with convenience and facility and which is maintained in applied position by the vacuum within the vagina.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which, when applied, gently draws the uterus therein until the uterus conforms to the pessary and whereby the device serves. effectually to prevent, tip,- ping of the uterus and to support the same in a manner to move with the natural mo tions of the uterus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved pessary formed of soft rubber or the lik having a fixed formation but which can be readily flexed or folded to facilitate its application and which, when applied, operates to balance the uterus in its natural position.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which is of a cup-like formation and wherein the closed end is provided with an opening to facilitate the proper adjustment of the device and which also affords an unobstructed flow of all discharges.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the pessary is of greater weight on one side so that the device will operate in substantially an automatic manner to arrange the uterus in its natural position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved pessary whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simple, inexpensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the I better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a pessary constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Fig. l, and

Fig. 3 is a view in top plan of the device as herein disclosed.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved pessary comprises a cuplike body B of rubber or other yieldable material and which is, molded or otherwise produced with a fixed formation but capable of ready flexure or bending to permit its desired coaction with the uterus. The bowl of the body B is of a configuration to conform substantially to the shape of the uterus.

The base portion of the body B is substantially oval shape in cross section, as at 1, and said base portion in its closed end is provided with an opening 2, preferably oval in form and which provides for an unobstructed flow of all discharges when the device is in applied position. The opening 2 also permits the insertion therethrough of a finger in order to facilitate the adjustment of the pessary relative to the uterus.

The inner face of the body B has its portion 2 defining the opening 2 flat. This is of extreme importance as it operates, when the device is being applied, to prevent the contacting portion of the mouth of the uterus extending into the opening 2 and which would otherwise constrict the mouth of the uterus and cause inflammation and particularly when it is to be understood that the cavity of the neck of the uterus is slightly dilated before opening into the vagina.

The upper or open end portion of the body B has a side portion materially cut away, as at 3, so that one side of the body B is of a weight greater than the opposite side.

This arrangement assures the uterus, when the pessary is applied, assuming its natural position.

My improved pessary has proven of decided advantage and benefit to patients suffering from a backward tip of the uterus,

falling uterus, and completerelaxation of the'walls of the vagina, assuring in such instances painless menstruation throughout the entire period. It has also been determined that my improved. device does not cause a reverse tip of the uterus or increase or cause inflammation.

In practice, my improved device gently draws the uterus into the bowl of the body B until the mouth comes to rest on the base of the body and during which time the uterus gradually conforms to the bowl so that the entire mouth and lower neck is encircled in addition to supporting the body of the uterus. This engagement of the device does not let the uterus tip back upon itself and by its self adjustment, while giving necessary support, moves with the natural motions of the uterus, giving the user a sense of comfort and prevents back-ache and bearing down pains.

. If desired, the device may be packed with cotton or sponge to apply medicaments or to check hemorrhages. The opening 2 may also be closed or plugged by cotton or thin rubber should it be desired to irrigate the vagina without affecting the uterus.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a pessary constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be employed, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I donot wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as defined by the appended claim.

I claim: j

A device of the class described comprising a'cup-like body formed, of pliable material and having a fixed formation, the closed end '7 portion of the body being provided with an opening, one side portion of the body being cutaway so that one side of the body is of greater weight than the opposite side, the closed end portion of the body having its inner face provided with a flat surface defining the opening.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of tWONVltIlGSSGS. 5

HELENL/L POTTER.

Witnesses;

RUTH E. BoRs'r, MINNIE E. MASON.

Copies of this patent may be, obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G, 

